What To Do With Your Motorcycle Helmet When You’re Parked
There is no better feeling than pulling up to your destination, parking your bike, taking off your gloves, and pulling off your helmet to see all heads turned in your direction admiring your bike. You climb off, take off your jacket and find yourself with your arms full of gear, and all thoughts of a nice stroll through the town are rapidly disappearing. The jacket and gloves you can deal with but the chunk of plastic is another story. Read on to figure out what to do with your motorcycle helmet when you’re parked up.
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Leaving Your Helmet with Your Motorcycle vs. Taking it with You
There are really only two main options, either you can leave it with your bike or carry it with you. Of course, it is much more complex than this but that is a good place to start. There are pros and cons to both sides but we are going to start with leaving your helmet with your bike.
How to (Safely) Leave Your Helmet with Your Motorcycle
Now the first thing to consider when deciding to leave your helmet with your bike is how you are going to attach it. If you have a top box, then go read our other articles, you just need to pop it in, lock it up and you are away laughing. If you don’t have a top box or another form of lockable storage on your bike where you can leave your helmet then have a look at our reviews for the best motorcycle helmet locks of 2024 as these will be your best bet. They are simple to use, light-weight and will give you peace of mind. You can leave it unlocked on your bike but it is not really advised.
Locking your helmet to your bike has a lot of perks; it leaves your hands free while you wander, you don’t have to worry about forgetting it or having it knocked off the table and falling onto the floor. However, it also has a few drawbacks. You never want to leave your helmet in direct sun for long periods of time and this can be unavoidable in some parking spots. At the other end of the scale, if the weather turns while you are away, there is a chance you will wearing a soggy helmet on the ride home which is never fun. Hemet locks are also never really 100% secure and there is always the risk your helmet could get stolen.
Overall leaving your helmet attached, preferably with a lock, is a good option. In most situations, the pros outweigh the cons and it is one less thing to worry about. On the other hand, how will people know you ride a motorcycle if you don’t have your helmet with you? This brings us to our next option.
How to Carry Your Motorcycle Helmet When You’re Off the Bike (Without Needing 2 Pairs of Hands!)
Most riders, including myself, prefer to take our helmets with us. It’s true they are clunky, get in the way, take up to much table space, etc. But at the end of the day, the peace of mind of being able to see my helmet at all times makes it worth it (for me and the riders I know, at least).
There are a few ways to carry your helmet with you when you go. The two most common are in your hands or attached to your bag. If you are going to be carrying it in your hand, consider opening the visor and putting your hand in behind the chin strap and out the visor. This way, you can keep one hand kind of free. Your helmet can also be used as a cool-looking shopping basket when you are getting a few things from the supermarket. Or, if you need to save a seat for a friend or you need some space, pop your helmet on the chair next to you. Not many people will try to move a rider’s helmet without asking first.
If you are carrying a large bag, you can pop it inside. This way, you can still use both your hands and take your helmet with you. If you want to be hands-free but can’t fit it inside your bag, then boy, do we have some good news for you. Motorcycle helmet bags… they are designed to carry helmets along with other personal items and are often sleek and look great, even with a bulky helmet inside them.
There are a few things to consider before deciding which option is for you include; the length of time you will be away, the area you are parking in, as well as your own personal preference.
There is no right or wrong answer on what to do with your motorcycle helmet after you park up.
At the end of the day we spend a lot of money on, and time on our helmets and we want to make sure they are well looked after and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take a helmet on a plane?
Yes, you can take a helmet on a plane. You can take it on as your personal item, although it’s good to know it usually won’t fit under the seat in front so you will need to put it in the overhead lockers.
Are saddlebags or a top box better for storage?
Being able to take luggage with you on your rides opens up a world of new possibilities. There is no right or wrong answer for which luggage option is better, there are pros and cons to both and at the end of the, as long as it gets all your gear from point A to B, then it’s done its job. In terms of being able to see your helmet in it once you arrive at point B, there are a few criteria your luggage should be meeting. It should be a hard shell that offers more protection, is lockable, and properly attached to your bike otherwise, you run the risk of losing your helmet and your luggage at the same time.
Can your helmet be stolen while it is lock to the bike?
Unfortunately, your helmet is never completely secure when it is locked on your bike. The cable can be cut, locks can be picked, or parts of your bike taken off in order to steal your helmet. Ways you can try to minimize this is by parking in well-lit areas where there are security cameras which will hopefully deter thieves.
